Sony Xperia L1: Affordable 5.5-Inch Smartphone Overview

Sony Xperia L1 (2017): Budget 5.5-inch HD Android Smartphone | Full English Details & Specs

Brand: Sony (Sony Mobile Communications)

Category: Entry-level 5.5-inch HD Android smartphone (Nougat), focused on affordability with a large screen, 13MP camera, and USB-C connectivity; targets cost-conscious users seeking a big display for media and daily tasks.

Core Value: 5.5-inch 720p IPS LCD, MediaTek MT6737T chipset, 2GB RAM/16GB storage (expandable up to 256GB), 13MP rear camera, 2620mAh battery, and USB Type-C at an accessible price point.

Launch Timeline: Announced March 20, 2017; released June 2017; variants: G3311 (single-SIM), G3312 (dual-SIM, EMEA), G3313 (dual-SIM, USA).

Core Specifications

1. Display & Design

Display: 5.5-inch IPS LCD, HD (1280×720 pixels), 16:9, ~267 ppi, scratch-resistant glass (>6H), 16M colors, 74.6% screen-to-body ratio.
Body: 151×74×8.7mm, 180g; rounded slate, plastic chassis; colors: Black, White, Pink; Nano-SIM (single/hybrid dual-SIM, dual-standby).
Models: G3311 (single-SIM), G3312 (dual-SIM, EMEA), G3313 (dual-SIM, USA).

2. Performance & Storage

SoC: MediaTek MT6737T (28nm, 1.45GHz quad-core Cortex-A53, Mali-T720 MP2 GPU @500MHz).
RAM/Storage: 2GB RAM; 16GB internal (expandable via microSDXC up to 256GB).
OS: Android 7.0 Nougat (no official OS upgrade); UI: Sony’s custom launcher with ClearAudio+ and TrackID™.

3. Cameras

Rear Camera: 13MP, f/2.2, autofocus, LED flash, HDR, 1080p@30fps video, 3x digital zoom.
Front Camera: 5MP, f/2.4, 1080p video; features: face detection, smile shutter, touch capture.

4. Battery & Charging

Battery: Non-removable 2620mAh Li-Ion; talk time up to 17h (2G)/14h (3G); standby up to 500h (2G)/450h (3G); up to 2 days of mixed usage.
Charging: USB Type-C 2.0 (charging/sync, reversible); no wireless charging.

5. Connectivity & Extras

Network: 2G (GSM 850/900/1800/1900), 3G (WCDMA 900/2100), 4G LTE Cat4 (FDD-LTE bands 1/3/7/8/20).
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n (Wi-Fi Direct), Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, LE, aptX), USB Type-C 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, GPS/GLONASS/BDS, USB OTG.
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, ambient light sensor (no fingerprint scanner).
Multimedia: MP3/AAC/MP4 player, FM radio (RDS), ClearAudio+, TrackID™, voice memo/dial.
Launch Price: ~€110 (Europe, 2017); ~$123 (US, 2017).

Key Features & Series Significance

Big Screen on a Budget: 5.5-inch display made it a standout in the sub-€150 segment, appealing to media-focused users.
USB-C for Affordability: One of the first budget Sony phones with USB Type-C, improving charging/sync convenience.
Camera & Media Focus: 13MP rear camera with Sony’s imaging tech and ClearAudio+ audio tuning aligned with Sony’s multimedia heritage.
Dual-SIM Flexibility: G3312/G3313 variants catered to emerging markets needing dual-standby connectivity.

The Xperia L1 built on the E5’s legacy, offering a larger screen and better RAM/storage while retaining core Sony features at a budget price. It served as a reliable entry point for users transitioning from feature phones or seeking a secondary device, with USB-C future-proofing its connectivity in 2017.